1. Description:
Rumex acetosa (scientific name: Rumex acetosa L., also known as Common sorrel, garden sorrel, spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock; Chinese Pinyin: Suan Mo, Simplified Chinese: 酸模, 野菠菜, 山大黄, 当药, 山羊蹄, 酸母, 南连), is a species of perennial, flowering, slender, herbaceous plant in genus Rumex (botanical buckwheat family, Polygonaceae). Found on hillsides, edge of forest, riverbank and along roadsides (usually from between 400 to 4,100 meters in elevation) in Europe, Central Asia and North America, the plant can grow up to 100 cm tall. The root of Rumex acetosa is used as hemostatic, aperitive, diuretic and insecticide in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as leukemia.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
The root of Rumex acetosa is considered to have sour, bitter and cold properties and to be associated with the liver and large intestine meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Rumex Acetosa & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Bleeding Stopping
A decoction of Rumex acetosa root, ginseng, Smilax glabra root and white atractylodes rhizome is taken orally to stop bleeding related to leukemia.
A decoction of Rumex acetosa root (4.5g), Cirsium setosum (12g), carbonized sanguisorba root (12g) and root of scutellaria baicalensis (9g) is taken orally to treat hematemesis as well as hematochezia (blood in stool).
3.2 Skin Health
Smashed Rumex acetosa root is applied externally to treat tinea versicolour (fungal infection).
3.3 The Excretory System
A decoction of Rumex acetosa root can also be taken daily to treat constipation.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions:
Administration with caution for pregnant women.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.